Tom Hanks casting away one of his Pacific Palisades properties

Actor-producer-director Tom Hanks has listed a house in Pacific Palisades for $5.225 million.

The Spanish-style villa, built in 1929, features archways, frescoed ceilings, a library, a sky-lit kitchen, a sun room, a beauty salon, four bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms and 6,289 square feet of living space. The living room opens to a loggia and gardens.

The property sits behind hedges and a tall wall on nearly one third of an acre. The rules are strict for getting a peek at the place. No photos are allowed, and agents must accompany clients touring the house.

This is not the contemporary home Hanks and wife Rita Wilson bought from veteran producers Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall three years ago for more than $26 million. That 14,513-square-foot house, built in 1996 and also in Pacific Palisades, has four bedrooms and five bathrooms.

Hanks, 56, won Oscars for his work in "Forrest Gump" (1994) and "Philadelphia" (1993) and received lead actor nominations for "Big" (1988), "Saving Private Ryan" (1998) and "Cast Away" (2000), which he also produced. He played symbolist Robert Langdon in "The Da Vinci Code" (2006) and "Angels & Demons" (2009) and is the voice of Woody in the "Toy Story" movies. He directed, wrote and starred in the 1996 film "That Thing You Do!"

Wilson, 56, appeared opposite Hanks in "Sleepless in Seattle" (1993). Her film work also includes "Jingle All the Way" (1996), "Runaway Bride" (1999) and "It's Complicated" (2009).

The house last sold for $1.9 million in 1988, according to public records.

Mary Lu Tuthill and Kathleen Tuthill of Coldwell Banker's Brentwood office are the listing agents, the Multiple Listing Service shows.

Key change for pop star

British singer Leona Lewis has sold her home in Hollywood Hills West for $2,073,500.

The Nichols Canyon-area compound sits on three-quarters of an acre in a gated community. The remodeled contemporary Mediterranean, built in 1999, features an all-white decor, formal living and dining rooms, four fireplaces, four bedrooms, four bathrooms and 3,946 square feet of living space. The detached guesthouse contains a gym, a bedroom and a bathroom.

A swimming pool, lawn and gardens complete the lush grounds.

Lewis, 28, was nominated for the 2009 best pop album Grammy Award. She also was nominated for best female pop vocal performance for the hit single "Bleeding Love."

The singer-songwriter was the 2006 winner of the British version of the talent competition show "The X Factor." She released "Glassheart," her third album, last year.

Lewis bought the property in 2009 for $1.85 million, public records show.

Actress Kate Walsh has parted with her Spanish-style estate in Los Feliz for $4.675 million.

The gated home retains such 1928 details as the intricately tiled main hall and grand staircase, arched windows and stenciled beamed ceilings.

A formal dining room with an oval inset ceiling, a wine room, a den-media room, breakfast room, five fireplaces, four bedrooms and six bathrooms are contained within 5,940 square feet of living space.

The one-third-acre grounds include a swimming pool with spa, a pool house, an outdoor cooking center, alfresco dining area and a circular driveway. The three-room garage was converted into a gym and two offices.

Walsh, 45, stars as Dr. Addison Montgomery on "Private Practice" (2007-present), a spinoff of "Grey's Anatomy," on which she played the same character starting in 2005. She will star in the comic film "Bad Judge," due out this year.

The actress bought the house in 2007 for $4.75 million, according to public records.

One of America's revered funnymen, Bob Newhart, has listed his estate in Bel-Air for sale at $15.5 million.

The French country-style home, designed by Wallace Neff and built in 1941, is two stories with a basement and an attic. There are five fireplaces, five bedrooms, seven bathrooms and 9,169 square feet of living space. Offices sit above the garage. The 1.37 acres of grounds include a lagoon-style swimming pool, mature trees and lawn.

Newhart, 83, entertained a national audience with his sitcoms "The Bob Newhart Show" (1972-78), "Newhart" (1982-90) and "Bob" (1992-93). Later generations know the comedian from appearances on shows such as "ER" and "Desperate Housewives" and the film "Elf" (2003). This year he guest-starred on "The Big Bang Theory."

The property was purchased in 1990 for $4.2 million, public records show.

Michael Sahakian and Johnny Schell, both of Coldwell Banker's Beverly Hills South office, are the listing agents, according to the Multiple Listing Service.

Watson holes out in the Palisades

After taking a couple swings at it, golfer Denis Watson and his wife, attorney Susan Loggans, have sold their Pacific Palisades compound for $12.9 million.

Built in 1982, the renovated Mediterranean-style estate, guesthouse, tennis court, pool, cabana and spa sit on 2.5 acres adjacent to Will Rogers Historic State Park. The equestrian property has corrals and a year-round stream. There are nine bedrooms, 9.5 bathrooms and about 10,000 square feet of living space.

Watson, 57, won three PGA titles in 1984. He joined the senior tour after turning 50 and was voted rookie of the year in 2007.

Two cross-dressing men who were fired upon by National Security Agency police when they disobeyed orders at a heavily guarded gate had just stolen a car from a man who had picked them up and checked into a motel, police said Tuesday.

The upcoming NFL draft is going to offer strong options at the running back position through at least the middle rounds but that isn’t stopping the Chicago Bears from adding some depth at the position.

Arkansas lawmakers have given final approval to a religious-freedom bill that has drawn sharp criticism from opponents who say it opens the door to state-sanctioned discrimination against gays and lesbians.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth on Tuesday criticized Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk as "irresponsible" for recently signing an open letter to the government of Iran regarding ongoing nuclear talks.